Lovely photo, but it brings to mind that the economic reality in South & Central America is that a middle class is minimal & a massive gap perpetuates between rich and poor. Public health is generally appalling especially dental & women’s health. The world needs more brilliant photos that show this dichotomy. Bravo Sartorialist!

You know for a fact that she is in her 20′s? Tell me how? Truth is you don’t know jack about her. I bet she is far, far older then 20. Does she look emaciated? Weak? No. She looks energetic, and a healthy proportion. She is walking briskly. She is pretty clearly in her 40′s. If she were in her 20′s, she would not have the overhang on her chin, or the lines by her nose, those don’t come from anything but age.

Mary, when was the last time you visited Peru? Their economy is growing rapidly, their middle class is growing, but a big part of healthcare among the indiginous peoples is their lack of trust in western medicine.

Hi Mary, where are you coming from??? Have you been lately in Peru??? Things are going better down there than in many european countries! you will be amazed… Peru is one of the world’s fastest-growing economies with a 2012 GDP growth rate of 6.3%!!!

Mary… in Peru exists a large middle class and currently an emerging one. The reality is that Peru it’s a huge country… and is not easy for everyone to access a basic health services on the highlands. That’s certainly true.
I love this color combination… people on the highlands has a natural and determined -bold- aesthetic sense when they choose colors of their garments.

The big problem is that most of people around the world think that here in South America, and in PerÃº in this case we are extremely poor people and we all live the reality that Sartorialist show in his photographs, but you are so wrong.Yes! That’s part of our country, the ancient cultures that are still alive like time hasn’t past over them, but most of us in PerÃº statistically belong to middle class and we are more that what you think

Pity that these women wont get anything out of the posts here, the fame that all this of brings them gives them nothing except that rich people will talk about the style, write about it, they will be inspired, copy (more sophisticated phase for it: “they will design”) stuff like this. So these women are just being unconscious style icons volunteers.

Donât be such a pessimist Agnieszka! These women donât need to get anything out of the posts â they are indeed unconscious style icons as are so many people around us in places and times we least expect. These photos are an offering to be treasured, as they bring us in touch with a different (?) everyday life and train our eye to recognize the original (or the origin or âdesignâ as you put it).

What about the millions of others who pose for style blogs and never get a penny for it? Why shouldn’t they profit too? What did these women do that others didn’t do? What makes them deserving more so then any regular subject on a western city street?

This really does capture a similar style as the other photo, with the rounded knee length skirt with petticoat underneath, the hatâ¦.so fantastic to know there ate fashion trends in every setting. I would absolutely wear this.

Yes. You are absolutely right. I remember seeing traditional Quechua clothing, having seen it a long time ago. I remembered about bowler hats being brought to Peru by the British in the 20′s or something. You make a really interesting point. I never really thought about owning the same items of clothing forever, possibly even from one person to the next. Thank you.

Hi from Peru Scott!
Delighted that you are immersing in all the bright coloured party that real Peru is!
You know, this is really cool, because being a travelled woman, I am and will always be attached to this palette. My ancestors, my extended family are like the woman portrayed here, so this is close to my heart in a way.
My friends would say that I look like a foreigner when I go back to my hometown (Yes, it is crazy how we change throughout generations) and they do not get it that I love everything related to my culture if I do not dress like them (well, two generations back, my family did not either). And I say that it is because I can see beauty beyond what I would actually choose to wear.
I have done many things in my life (social scientist, journalist, photographer), but I am a finalist at a fashion design contest in my country these days (So, I am in all the crazy process of creating/producing a collection). To me it is interesting, because I am portraying my photography onto fabric and creating pieces, but, no matter what I do, I will always apply a strong palette colour to my outfits, and I love, love that. I love playing around with textures and tones and everything, just like the women on these pics.
I am sure you have seen that “my generation” in Peru (I am in my 30s) will probably wear “westernised” outfits in a darker/more serious palette, but because my vision has been well enriched with colour, I will always celebrate the roots of my colourful taste and that makes me happy.
Thanks for sharing views of these beautiful women!
Ps. I am aware that you have been to Lima Fashion Week as well, I wonder why you did not post any photo of it? I do not want to speculate, but I secretly think I know why. Big hug!

I wish it were still possible to find a source of jaspe cloth in the U.S. Having a market for those colorful and strong woven fabrics helps the weavers there while also helping those of us here who appreciate the fabrics found in the green skirt, and in the baby sling. The weaving done there is fabulous but finding someone who sells it here has been pretty much impossible for the last decade.

This is a moving photograph. The traditional Peruvian garb of full skirt with the masculine hat. Her beautiful lush color combinations. The weary (or at least that is how I read it) look on her face. I think this photograph captures both the trials of poverty and an attention to detail and appreciation of beauty that has nothing to do with wealth. I appreciate that you “saw” her.

Hi Scott’s
The picture is nice you have a way in seeing Beaty inside a person inside a place. I have been opening your blog every morning and I just wanna say thank you very much for opening the entire universe and in the process finding more own uniqueness and appreciating it I hope one day I can come and listen you speak because the things that come out of you area a gift you are a gift. I wish I can explain but today I want to thank you for sharing your world your heart your ideas so that we can be better people God bless you and Garance you are really a gift thank you so much. I

These are just fabulous pictures and I love the change from Fashion week to this. Especially the comfortable relationship Peruvians have with all these wild colours! Makes me want to get all my coloured clothes and celebrate! x

Something that has always fascinated me is how many people from countries with economic struggles wear intense, vivid, bright colours …. and people from more well-off countries wear grey and black.

It occurred to me when I saw Born into Brothels, a documentary featuring kids of prostitutes in Calcutta, who were given cameras to tell their own stories. I was struck by the gorgeous, bright fabrics of the desperately poor women in the film. Whereas in countries like mine, Canada, a lot of people wear dull colours.

I’m not implying that the woman you photographed here is living in poverty, but I think you catch my drift.

As a Peruvian coming from the capital, these photos have made me see the current take on traditional costume in a whole new way. I say “current take” in the sense of how western fashion has an influence even in the most traditional-looking outfits (notice jeans under bright skirts, and turtlenecks).

It’s so interesting to forget about western trend and find style and aesthetics in something us Peruvians see so often that we sometimes overlook.

Great vision, and I hope you found some traditional influences in the westernized fashions of Lima, as well. :)